|
WHEN I came to after the two-hour operation to remove my fibroids, I felt none of the excruciating pain that I had been expecting.
Instead, I felt just a tad bruised in the lower abdomen – as though I had been pummelled in a kick-boxing tournament.
My surgeons from the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Dr Quek Swee Chong and Dr Anthony Siow, had decided to remove my four tennis-ball-size fibroids through my navel, using only a single incision there. This surgical method is the norm in Europe and in South Korea, but since I was the first person here to have it done, it made me Singapore’s Patient Zero.
The day after the operation, I was taught how to roll off the hospital bed to minimise pain and injury, and encouraged to walk around the ward.
Mobile as I was, I was constantly being monitored for blood pressure, pain, and bowel and bladder movements. It seemed to be the preoccupation of the nurses while I was there.
Apart from feeling a little bloated, I felt fine and was discharged from the hospital three days later.
Recovery was quick.
I was encouraged to walk around while at home and not to lie down all the time, for fear blood clots would develop.
I was also not to lift heavy objects for a month to avoid creating a hernia or a tear in the inside layers of the abdominal wall.
Stitches to the 2cm incision made in my belly button were removed a week later.
I have no scar to show for this experience, but to be on the safe side, the doctors extended my medical leave by a week and prescribed some anti-keloid cream.
Today is the 37th day since my operation and my second week back at work.
Driving is still out for me, as is carrying heavy bags, lest I strain my core muscles, but I am definitely feeling fine.
|